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Arca Swiss Conversions of tripod heads

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  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    looks like Manfrotto ( unlike Nikon:)) does read NRF

    http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/new-ball-head-top-lock-quick-release?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=july
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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    edited July 2013
    t266_2705832c73bddccf6eb325bf09d35cd3

    Arca Swiss Conversion

    Mmmm....should I send them a bill? LOL
    Post edited by Msmoto on
    Msmoto, mod
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    @Msmoto: I would...but collecting is another question.

    I'm pleased to see they have taken this step. It is going to make a lot of people happy in using their gear.
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • JJ_SOJJ_SO Posts: 1,158Member
    edited July 2013
    It's a month old news... ;)

    image
    Post edited by JJ_SO on
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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    @JJ_SO

    You are correct. I sent them a photo of my converted heads about two or three months ago....
    Msmoto, mod
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  • JJ_SOJJ_SO Posts: 1,158Member
    And? Which kind was their inventor reward? :)
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  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    @JJ_SO

    You are correct. I sent them a photo of my converted heads about two or three months ago....
    Something tells me you weren't the first. :P
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    @PB_PM

    Agree....I had just purchased about five plates, gimbal, new head, etc., and then decided to convert to ARCA Swiss. Some of us are extremely slow to learn.... :D
    Msmoto, mod
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  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    Golf007sd - good job on your first two videos. Keep it up.

    Great deal of info here. I have passed along the link to several Nikon users who don't have ball heads and are interested in making the move.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
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  • scoobysmakscoobysmak Posts: 215Member
    Well in my conversion process I bought a Manfrotto MSQ6 adaptor plate to mount to my 498RC ball head, it mounted to the ball head really tight but did go on. The bad news is my RRS camera plates do not work with this. Maybe I should have investigated this a bit more but thought that was the reason for the Q6 plate from Manfrotto to be able to use arca style plates. My plate looks identical to the one below
    It's a month old news... ;)

    image
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    I almost bought that head when I got my new legs but it was just too much of a stretch. If what scoobydoo says is true for all of them, then I'm glad I didn't buy it.

    Y'all have worn me down with all of your blatherin' about Arca stuff so I am going to give it a try. I lose the simple pano's my Slik gives me, but I gain an 'L' bracket option that I don't have with the Slik. :D
    Always learning.
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    L-plates rock! You will be very happy with it spraynpray :)
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • scoobysmakscoobysmak Posts: 215Member
    edited August 2013
    This would be a duplicate post, I am trying to get rid of a draft.

    I might edit this and try my first attempt at video so you can see what happened when I put on the new Q6 plate. I went ahead and ordered a ball head from RRS, I know it will work.

    This is my edit to link the video I created, its my very first video so take it easy on me. Since I don't have the fastest internet connection for uploads I put the camera to the lowest resolution so if you view the video an anything but the smallest size it will look out of focus (it still took 45 in to upload). I also should have worn my watch to cover up my wrist where it got pinched the other day but hey oops. Hope this helps anyone looking at conversions, I also must add the RRS ball head I got a hold of wasn't mine but wish it was.

    Here is the link:

    Post edited by scoobysmak on
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    @scoobysmak: Nice job on the video.
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • scoobysmakscoobysmak Posts: 215Member
    Thanks, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. That was my first take and figured it did the job.

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  • KillerbobKillerbob Posts: 732Member
    Proves that RRS really is the Really Right Stuff:)
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    Further to Scoobysmak's vid, I called one of the UK's larger outlets of gear and after gaining the confidence of the guy at the other end, I told him about my reservations regarding the Q6 system. He told me that there are compatibility problems and also - and this did it for me - that the problems vary from head to head - so it is a tolerancing issue. All further thoughts of the Q6 system flew out of the window at that point.
    Always learning.
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  • MsmotoMsmoto Posts: 5,398Moderator
    It is always baffling when someone brings out a system which has obviously not been evaluated in the field in terms of actual functionality. If Manfrotto was thinking the system will force folks to purchase their plates....yikes, must have the same PR group that Nikon uses for the issues of the D600.

    All my converted Manfrotto heads work flawlessly with every lens/body I have with the ARCA Swiss plates...
    Why on earth, Manfrotto did not simply produce an ARCA Swiss head..... 8-|
    Msmoto, mod
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  • Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
    edited August 2013
    For those seeking a very nice monopod head RRS has just added a new head to their product line. Works perfectly for some in addressing some of the questions msmoto had asked of me. I just might pick one if these bad boys up soon.

    MH-02 LR: Head with Indexing LR Clamp
    Post edited by Golf007sd on
    D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    I am loving my CF tripod, L bracket and 3LT arca compatible head these days - feel free to say I told you so!

    I still miss the circular QD plate of the Slick sometimes though - but not as often as I enjoy my new Arca head.
    Always learning.
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  • YetibuddhaYetibuddha Posts: 388Member
    Well, the earlier part of this thread helped me. I converted my Manfrotto RC4 to Swiss Arca mount and added an L bracket for my D800. Just purchased an L bracket for the D700, but now need, because I want to operate in some situations two cameras simultaneously, a new ballhead with the AS compatibility. Any suggestions for something good that is sub $200?
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    I bought a ball head from Three Legged Thing - Airhead 2 Evo 2. It's great, but it may come in just over $200. If you check out the thread I started 'new head required' you will see some good stuff in there including a good head recommended by Msmoto from B&H that is on budget for you Yeti.

    http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/1394/new-head-required-/p1
    Always learning.
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  • YetibuddhaYetibuddha Posts: 388Member
    Spray, thanks for the recommendation.
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  • shutterdancershutterdancer Posts: 21Member
    I just replaced the manfroto plate on my 468MGRC2 with the Wimberley C-12 arca Swiss plate.It works on many different heads and is very well built.
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  • spraynprayspraynpray Posts: 6,545Moderator
    edited September 2013
    @Yetibuddha: Further to my post above, I see 3LT now have a USA store:

    http://www.3leggedthing.com/usa/
    Post edited by spraynpray on
    Always learning.
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